About

After a year-long search and an impressive shortlist made up of 30 young future leaders, Kruger Cowne and partners One Young World and Spaceship Earth Grants announced on 21st November 2015 as part of the One Young World closing ceremony, the champion of the programme – 24 year old Hussain Manawer from Illford, Essex. Having delivered a 3 minute speech at the programmes final in front of an international audience made up of 1300 delegates and online spectators, Hussain wowed the panel of judges and the public with a performance of a lifetime.

Launched last year at One Young World in Ireland, the Rising Star programme consisted of a year-long search to find one inspiring individual, who will become the voice of the next generation, culminating in the chosen champion being catapulted onto the world stage and into space in 2018. Travelling beyond the 100km mark by XCOR Aerospace’s Lynx® Spacecraft and presented with the opportunity to experience the world from an entirely new perspective, as the Rising Star, Hussain will provide new insight to global discussions on some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Having received applications from over 90 countries, the programme’s 3 finalists – Keren Jackson from Ireland, Freeman Osonuga from Nigeria and Hussain Manawer from the UK – each took to the stage on Friday 19th November to address varying topics, from mental health awareness to global warming.

The final appeared as part of a specialist session at the One Young World Summit, and saw prominent judges Sir Bob Geldof, Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne of Kruger Cowne, David Jones, co-founder of One Young World, Fatima Bhutto, Suphachai Chearavanont and celebrated astronaut Ron Garan all cast their vote. Ensuring the public also had a say, friends, families and countries were invited to support their candidate via a public social media vote.

With his enthusiastic performance, Hussain pressed hard the issues surrounding mental health awareness, leading to a standing ovation and an influx of social media support.

4x XR-5K18
Light fueled re-ignitable rocket engines designed to be used over 5,000 times

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Science Pods
Room to conduct science experiments on every flight

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Heat Protection System
For safety absorbing re-entry heat build up

Training

1. Mission Tactics Course

This will be your Space Theory 101. Educating you on all you need to know to help you on your way. A tailor-made training package, this stage of training will work in conjunction with whatever you already know about space travel (or don’t know) and will ensure you feel as mentally prepared as you can be, ready to undergo your journey.

2. Desdemona Simulator

Desdemona is unlike any other simulator in existence. Located in Soesterberg, the Netherlands, and built by AMST and TNO, the Desdemona simulator is capable of generating all possible G-Forces up to 3.3G. To put that into context, this is the equivalent to just over 3 times the normal amount of G force humans are normally exposed to on Earth. (That’s a lot of G’s). Desdemona’s full motion and advanced high-resolution video simulation gives you a real sense of what you will experience and allows you to picture what it will be like in the XCOR Lynx® Spacecraft.

3. Flight in the L38 Albatross Jet

Simulating the most important stages of space flight, this part of training will replicate as close as possible, the physical motions of aerospace travel without actually leaving planet Earth. As a back-seat passenger of the single-engine, two-seater L38 Albatross Jet, this experience will take you as close as physically possible to your impending trip.

4. G-Centrifuge

Arguably one of the most iconic stages of space raining, the G-Centrifuge experience is where a small cockpit attached at the end of a mechanical arm spins at high-speed, simulating extreme elevations of G-Force (up to 4G), allowing you to physically train your body to deal with the stressors of space travel.

5. Zero-G Flight

Ever wished you could experience weightlessness? With the Zero-G Flight on our specially equipped aircrafts, you will experience zero levels of gravity for roughly 20 seconds. During numerous spouts of Zero-G, you will be trained to deal with weightlessness, allowing you to practice everyday tasks in a unique and challenging environment that you will no doubt have to deal with on your expedition.

Programme Timeline

Deadline For Entries

Applications for the Rising Star programme close.

3rd July 2015

Shortlist Announced

30 outstanding applicants will be selected, profiled on the Rising Star website and invited to share via video, why they should be Kruger Cowne’s first Rising Star.

4th August 2015

Finalist Announcement

3 lucky finalists will be chosen to fly to One Young World 2015 in Bangkok, where they will take to the stage in front of an audience of thousands, as well as a panel of iconic judges, to deliver an inspirational 15 minute keynote on a topic of their choice.

2nd October 2015

Introducing our Rising Star

Influential judges from the world of entertainment, business and media, will deliberate before the chosen Rising Star is announced. The champion will be offered a management contract with Kruger Cowne and will begin the start of their journey into space.

November 2015

Rising Star Programme

Kruger Cowne open applications to 18+ year olds for mentorship by their iconic client roster, spanning the business, media, sport and entertainment sectors to continue to nurture talent and tomorrow’s future leaders.